With July 27, as the planned date for the NOPA - Narberth Old Pupils Association - school reunion at the Nantyffin Motel, Llandissilio, there has been much progress and a positive response from all over the country. Many former pupils (and their partners) have forwarded their applications and monies for the gathering of old pupils and get-together of old school pals.
To date, pupils from the late 20s classes up to the early 50s will be attending. It is also hoped that there will be a number of the old teaching staff in attendance, going by some of the 'phone enquiries received.
Two former lady teachers from the Cardigan area hope to attend with other former colleagues who they hope to contact in the near future. The two ladies taught in the school in the 50s and used to travel by car to Crymych to catch the 'Edwards' school bus to Narberth. They not only look forward to meeting up with old colleagues, but also with old pupils and fellow travellers on the school bus.
At the time of this report, old pupils are travelling from south, west and north Wales; Derbyshire; Nottinghamshire. Surrey; Wilts; and Australia and New Zealand.
Travelling from New Zealand will be Heulwen (nee Griffiths) Jones - originally from Llandissilio - and her husband Percy. Travelling from Australia will be her brother, Dilwyn.
Heulwen and her husband are to lead the 'Welsh from across the World' ceremony at the St. David's National Eisteddfod in the week after the reunion.
Some of the people hoping to meet up with old friends include Edward Griffith, Freda Scourfield, Roy Mason, Ellis Evans and Des Hayes.
As the time gets closer there will be many more and searches are on-going to find former pupils. Eleanor (nee Raymond) Puffet - originally from Bethesda - now resides at Simpson Cross after many years in Wiltshire. She looks forward to meeting up with old pals, but wonders where the Rose family members are these days - Stella and Terry, etc.
It is hoped that the daughter of Charlie Jones (geography and woodwork master) will be able to attend. Now Mrs. Margaret Lewis, she has returned to the old county to live in Fishguard after many years in Devonshire. She was discovered by another old pupil driving her to Withybush Hospital under the Country Cars scheme. There should also be other daughters - and a son - of former teachers attending.
Details of the reunion have now been placed on the internet by one of the former pupils. This, it is hoped, will increase the number of applications to attend the reunion. So far there are many new names - people who have not attended previously - on the list, so old or former pupils who intend attending are requested to contact Terry Griffiths at 'Ty-hapus', 67 The Beeches, Llandysul (tel: 01559 362625). Numbers will be limited - a cut-off date for applications will be announced later in the weekly papers.
Morfydd (nee Thomas) Morgan has again volunteered to organise the raffle. This is the lifeline of the reunion in that it helps with the running expenses - correspondence, stationery, postage, etc. If you can't be there on the night, be there in spirit - donate a raffle prize. Morfydd can be contacted on (01834) 814969.